Studio Die Storage

When I was trying to figure out a die storage system that would work best for me, I knew I wanted it to be easily expandable, inexpensive and take up a small amount of space. I needed it to be easy to use and maintain as well.

I ended up finding these CD/DVD storage boxes at Wal-Mart of all places. It’s less than $10 and it’s made from a high quality, sturdy mat board. The hinged lid allows for easy access, which was one of my needs in regards to die storage. The box comes with a few divider inserts you can choose to utilize if you like, which makes it convenient to organize your dies by category.

Almost all of my dies are stored in CD envelopes that feature a clear circular window on the front. These envelopes are extremely inexpensive (I paid only $5 for a package of 100) and they fit perfectly in the storage box since they are sized for CD’s to begin with. I love the clear window that they feature which allows me to see what’s inside if need be.

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The envelopes are easy to keep on hand which makes it convenient to maintain the system when I get new dies each month. I designed very simple labels for each envelope using clear return address labels. I simply used a text box to type in the name of each die/die collection then copy & pasted the image of the die from our website. It took a bit of time to get the initial batch set up in this way, but now that everything is established I know it will be easy to continue in the future in small installments.

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As a special treat for you today, I have formatted all of the labels I created for the Papertrey Die Collection to date into pdf files that you can print from home onto Avery 5160 address labels. You can download them below…

For the dies that do not fit in the envelopes, as well as the impression plates, I keep them in a second CD storage box filed in sections that I created with the dividers. The back portion holds impression plates, then all of the larger dies, followed by a front section dedicated to the Favor It dies. It is so easy to flip through the impression plates to find exactly what I need and I find myself using a greater variety because of that!

I have utilized magnetic strips (that are designed for knife storage in the kitchen) to store all my border-style dies. These strips were simply attached to the wall near the die-cutting area of my stamping table, making it easy and convenient to grab exactly what I need.

I love working in my new space, especially the die-cutting area I established. It is so easy to find everything and maintain organization. I hope you were able to take away a few things from my die storage system today that you can apply in your own personal space!

Thank you so much, Nichole for sharing the die labels…they are so cute!! I recently came up with my own solution to my PTI die storage…I had them all hodgepodge in a little accordion folder for photos, but I always spent so much time digging for the one I wanted. Since I had some hooks in my craft room right next to my table, I just bought some of the clip it up clips, printed name labels for each die and stuck them to the plastic bag that the dies come in, then clipped them up and hung them on the hooks. (One clip will hold several die bags). It’s not as cute or as elegant as yours, (and I must admit that I definitely want these little labels on mine) but I guess it will do for now…but thank you so much for sharing your wonderful ideas!

Thank you so much for these labels 🙂
I didn’t have to make any trips to purchase anything…
I had discovered the CD boxes a bit ago at Office Depot and am currently converting some storage to their line.
And a couple of years ago…
made Holiday Tunes CD’s and found vinyl CD covers at Big Lots and purchased a few boxes because I only wanted certain colors…
so was able to pull the leftovers to use for storing the dies.
But the labels really make this whole system.
Again Thank You so much…
had my dies totally organized in less than 10 minutes…
whereas they had just been tossed in the box:)
Hope that occasionally you’ll send new labels out for any future dies that will released so that my little box always looks nice and neat!
Love your cutting area!

Thanks for the labels! A trip to the office supply store is on my errand list for the day. 🙂 The CD storage boxes from Wal-Mart already hold all of my PTI stamps as well as dies making my storage area look reasonably neat from the outside, but the inside of the dies box could use a little order!

These are some really great ideas! All my dies right now are shoved in a drawer and I end up forgetting what I have because they get burried! I will definitely be using this CD storage box idea. The magnetic strip idea is pure genious too! PS- I’d love to see pics of the whole space! What you’ve shown so far is AMAZING! Something to aspire to for sure! Thanks!

Recently I started giving a lot of thought to how I was going to store my dies when I realized I couldn’t find half of them. (I’m still searching for the super secret hiding place)
I saw your post and immediately went to Walmart to shop. What a perfect solution!!!
and it really was under $10. I’m on my way to the printer for labels, and I am well on my way.
Thanks for sharing your great ideas!!! I can’t wait to see what the next suggestion is.

This is brilliant!!! The labels are perfect. I will be adding these labels to the original plastic bags the dies came in and ordering the ones I have in alphabetical order in my recipe box used for my dies.

Love the storage ideas for PTI dies. Have managed to convert an existing box for most of the dies – just got to add the labels now! By the way will you be updating the labels in the future when you add new dies? Thanks for all the inspiration!

I just opened the label file. It’s perfect!!! I know you’re a busy lady, but it’d be awesome if you could make some sort of tracker for stamps, dies, and the color collections. I can’t ever remember what I have. My husband says that means I have too much, but I seriously don’t think he knows what he’s talking about! 🙂

Thank you SO much for the labels – they are AWESOME! I LOVE being organzized with my craft supplies. I already had the boxes from Walmart (I knew I needed them for SOMETHING lol!) but I could only find a box of the CD envelopes at Office Max for $25 for 100. Do you happen to remember where you found them for five? Online maybe? If anyone has found a good deal on them I’d love to know. :o) Thanks once again and I can’t WAIT to see more photos of your new studio and the finished house!

Nicole this is FABULOUS! What a great idea.
I especially like to “SEE” the sizes of the trim edge dies. Wow. NOW I can actually SEE the comparison to the shelf it is hung next to. The magnetic holder is genious. LOVE PTI products and the extra special care they take in packaging is unmatched! The PDF file for labels SO SO SO appreciated.
TFS – Hugs.

Thank you so much Nichole. I went out right away and bought two of the white boxes . I can’t thank you enough for the labels you made, the picture on the lable is the best part for me. With the picture I know just how many dies are in each set, so easy to keep track of. Thank You , Thank You!
Take care!

Nichole , I love this storage idea so much . I went out right away and bought two white boxes. The best part of it all ,for me is the labels. Thank You Thank You. I love that you pit the pictures on it also. That way we know just what and how many dies should be in each set. LOVE IT. Thanks again for sharing. Take care.

I’m so psyched about this storage idea for my dies. Thank you, Thank you, for sharing the pdf file with us. I went to my walmart and found some of the cd storage boxes in black on clearance for only $3.00. I love it when a plan comes together. hehe :o)

Thank you for posting the link in the forum tonight Nichole (I’m fishinkitten), I love seeing other people’s storage ideas, especially when they’re so attractive! I will be on the lookout for similar items. My current storage solution is a hanging shoe organizer, but the dies get ‘lost’ and dusty in the deep pockets. Thank you for the labels as well. What a fabulous idea!

Love your idea and was also fortunate enough to find the supplies at Wal-Mart. Am so grateful for this storage option and, of course, am wondering if you are planning to update your pdf file with the new die labels. If there’s anything I can do to help with this… ; Thanks so much!

I’ve found your cd boxes at the local WM for 3.50 on clearance and that was a sign that I need to follow your die storage example. I think I have one slight improvement to the system: I buy those really cheap 4×6 photo albums when they are on sale and then rip out the photo sleeves. The sleeves fit perfectly into the cd box and the opaque white divider lets me put the die in the front and any samples or masks in the back of the sleeve.
I originally used these photo sleeves for stamp storage, but they prooved too bulky and I finally decided that the cd cases they are shipped in are the best storage option. But I rip out the opaque divider from the photo sleeves and slip those into the cases between the stamps. The texture keeps stamps from sticking and I also have a better view of the stamps in the case. Thanks for all your inspiration!

Love this idea. I don’t use die cutters (yet) but there must be something I can store this way. Unmounted stamps— and ephemera for collage- especially text. I’m on my way to WalMart- hope they still have them.

I really love this idea for a storage system and put it into place immediately! Do you plan to update the files? I don’t know how to make my own- I can’t figure out how to make each label different. I would even be willing to pay to download updates so I can have all my little white envelopes labeled neatly! Thanks!

I’m wondering if you ever got any hints from Nichole Heady on lining up the PTI die labels PDF for an Avery 5160 label … I’m having trouble too and as it’s a PDF, there’s no adjusting … thanks for your help.

Okay, I managed to figure out how to make more labels that included the newer dies by following Nichole’s directions above (just before the paragraph where she had the link to get the ones she had already made). If I can do it, anyone can! But I will send what I have made so far if you email me. I hope this is okay with Nichole.

Very thin lumber is used for a wirebound box. Wires are stapled or stitched to the girth and to wood cleats. These are sometimes used for produce and for heavy loose items for military or export use. These are lighter than wood boxes or crates.

Please tell us where you found the storage for the ribbon. Mine is currently in a box and I don’t want to buy a rack that you put the ribbon spool on to because I never know how much ribbon I’m going to need sometime. Being able to pull it off this type of shelf and putting it back is genius.

Super cool idea, Nicole. I simply love the way you give tips, and share ideas. You are one amazing lady. Your craft-room die-cut area is gorgeous, and ultra tidy, wish mine was as organized. LOL But, now I have the secret to success, AND, so economical to boot!! I just love inventive ideas that are easily incorporated, no matter what space is available! Love the magnetic strip, duh, and I was looking for magnetic sheets…well, I can still use them inside the CD envelopes to keep all the dies together, especially for the little bits. Again, thanks!

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